Friction shock-absorbing mechanism



""Aug. 14, 192s. 1,680,292

S. B. HASELTINE FRICTION SHOCK ABSORBING MECHANISM original Filed sept.26, 1923 '2 sheets-sheet l S. B. HASELTINE- FRIGTION SHOCK ABSORBINGMECHANISM ngi /47 i Il) Patented Aug. 14, 1928.

f UNITEDl STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BTACY B. HASELTINE,OFCHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, `BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS,TO H. MINERG INC., A CORPORATION-OF DELAWARE.

FRICTION SHOCX-ABSORBING MECHANISM.

Application and september 2e, 1923, serial N. 664,868; Renewed February16, 192s.

This inventionrelates to improvements -in friction shock absorbingmechanism.y

`One object of the invention is to provide a friction shock absorbingmechanism, more particularly adapted for railway draftriggings, whereinis obtained high capacity due `to large'friction areas, together withquick and certain release.

Another object of the invention is to pro- 'vide 'a' friction' shockabsorbing mechanism of the intercalated plate type wherein a graduatedaction in both compression and release is obtained by vproducing apreliminary action of the followers and the wedges prior to engagementand movement of the friction plates by the followers, and then effectingarelative movement of the friction plates after the full wedgingactionhas been vsetup.

' plates.` And Fig. 5 is a horizontal, longitu-' Other objects and-`advantages of the Vinvention will more 'clearly appear from thedescription and claims hereinafter following. y K i fFig. 1y is ahorizont-al, longitudinal, `sectional viewof afportion of `a railwaydraft.

rigging, showing my improved shock absorbingmechanism in connectiontherewith. Fig. 2 is a 4vertical, transverse sectionalview correspondingsubstantially to the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig.' '3' is a vertical,longitudinal, sectional view 'corresponding substantially to line 3-.-3of Fi 1. Fig. 4 is a detailed, side lelevational view of one of thefriction kdinal, 'sectional view of the front end of a shock absorbing.mechanism illustrating a different embodiment of the invention.

` `In Said"` drawings, referring first-'to Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, Y1,() 10indicate channel draft sillsof a railroad car, to the inner faces oflwhich are'secured` front stop lugs 11 and rear stoplugs 12. jh portion`of the drawbar is shown at 13. to which is attached a hooded yoke 14.The shock absorbing mechanism proper, including the front and rearfollovvers, is disposed withinV the yoke 14, and the movable parts ofthe draft rigging arefsupportedby a detachable saddle. plate l5.

`The improved shock absorbing mechanism properyfas shown in Figs.` 1 to4 inclusive, comprisesbroadly, front and rear wedge followers A-A; frontand rear combined shellf and spring follower members B-B; two groups offriction platesCnC; front and rear pairs of friction shoesD-D; a springresistance E; and a retainer bolt F.

The front and rear wedge followers A are of `like construction, andco-act respectively with the front and rear stop lugs in the usualmanner. Each follower A is of rectangular outline andy is provided withspaced, horizontal, inwardly projecting top and bottom flanges16--16,`vertically arranged, spaced, inwardlyy projecting side flanges 17H17 andan inwardly projecting, hollow wedge portion 18v disposed centrallybetween the side iianges` and extending from the top flange to thebot-tom flange. The pro]ecting wedge .portionv 18 protrudes beyoud theinner edges of the flanges 16 and is .provided with a fiat front endface 19 and vertically disposed inwardly converging side faces 20. f I

` T he ,front and `rear shell and spring follower members B are of likeconstruction, each being ofv substantially box-like shape andycomprising horizontally extending, top and bottom walls21"-21vertically extending, spaced, side walls 22-22 and a relativelyheavy post 23 extending from the top to the bottom wall thereof andformed integral therewith. The post 23 of'each shell is spaced inwardlyaslight distance from the outer end of the shell and equally from each ofthe side walls 22., and is provided with outwardly converging flat wedgefaces 2L Each of the posts is also provided with a transverselylextending flat inner face adaptedv to forman abutment for the adjacentends of the inner and outer coils of the spring resistance E, the springresistance E being interposed between the inner faces 25 of the posts ofthe front and .rear shells B. At the inner end of each shell B, the top'and bottom walls 2l arerprovided, respectively, with downwardly andkupwardly project` ing transverse ribs 26 extending inwardly a shortdistance from the side walls.

vThe friction plates C are arranged withkin the shells B and comprisetwo oppositely combined friction plates 27 and four plates 28, the'plates 27 and28 being alternated, vwith a plate 28 of leachgrouparranged outermost and in contact with the inner surfaces of theadjacent sidewalls 22 of the shell B. Theplates 27 and 28 are of similarconstruction and, as best'shown in YFig. 1, each platel is cut away atthe upper and lower sides for a considerable portion of its length, tothereby provide a relatively narrow po-rtion 29 and alined upper andlower 'vertically disposed y stop shoulders 80. As shown in Fig. 1, theplates 27` and 28 are alternated and reversely arranged with theshoulders 8O of the friction plates 27 co-acting with the ribs 26 of therear shell B and the shoulders 30 of the plates 28 eo-acting with theribs of the front shell B and the reduced portions 29 of the plates 2l"and 28 extending between ribs of both shells. The plates are soproportioned andai-ranged that the front ends of the plates 28 aredisposed nearer the front follower A than the corresponding ends of theplates V27, and vthe rear ends of the plates 27 are disposed nearer therear follower A than the rear ends of the plates 28. i

The wedge friction shoes D are all of like construction, being in theform of blocks arranged in pairs at the front and rear' ends of themechanism. Each of the shoes D has a flat side face 81 adapted toengagethe adjacent friction plate 27, an outer wedge face 32 adapted to co-actwith one of the follower wedge faces 20 and a'relatively blunter wedgefaceBB adapted to eo-actwith one o' the wedge faces 24 of the post 23 ofone of the shellsrA. A hardened wear plate 34- is preferably interposedbetween the wedge faces 241 Vof each post 23 and the faces 33 of ytheadjacent pair of shoes, the plate 34; being angularly shaped to conformto the outer portion of the post. Vear plates 35, adapted to forniabutn'ients for the ends `of the friction plates, may also be provided,the saine being shown as .secured to the inner faces of the front andrear followers at opposite sides of the central projections 18.

The shock absorbing mechanism is held under initial compression by theretainer bolt F passing through the inner coil of the spring resistanceelement E and alined openingsrin the post 23, wear plates 34@ and wedgeprojections 18, having one end thereof anchored to the rear follower bymeans of the headreeeived in the hollow projection 18 thereof and havingthe other end anchored to the front follower by means of the nutreceived in the hollow projection 18 thereof. Compensation for wear ofthe various friction and wedge surfaces is taken care lof by theexpansiveaction of the spring resistance elei'nent forcing the combinedspring follower and shell members and the friction shoes forwardly andrearwardly, .properclearance being left betweenV the outer' ends of theshells and the inner ends'of the flanges of the followers to permit ofthe necessary movement.

shown in Fig. 1, the combined spring follower and friction shell membersare held in the extreme outer yposition by the expansive force j of thespring resistance element E, withthe ribs 26 ofthe vfront and rearshells engaging, respectively, the shoulders 80 of the plates 27 and 28thereby maintaining the rear ends of the plates 27 slightly spaced fromthe inner wall of the rear follower and the front ends of the plates 2.8slightly spaced from the inner face of the front wall of the fr ontfollower.l As will be evident, the separatmg movement of the shells B islimited due to the Contact of thewedge faces of the shoes with the wedgefaces of the shells and followers, Vthe shoes being prevented vfromspreading apart by abutting the opposite groups of friction plates C.

In theoperation of my improved shock` absorbing mechanism, assuming thatthe front follower A is being' movedA rearwardly lVhen the parts are innormal position, asv

toward the rear follower during buff, a

wedging action will be set up between the wedges of the front and rearfollowers and the shoes D, thereby forcing the groups of plates firmlyagainst the side walls of the shells and placing the same under lateralpressure, augmenting the frictional resistance between the plates.During the further` rearward movement of the front follower A, thefrontshell will be forced rearwardly-toward the rear shell, due to thebodily rearward movement of the front wedge shoes therewith; the rearshell being' held substani tially stationary bythe rear shoes D and therear wedge follower. Due. to the friction between the groups of platesand the shells and shoes, there will bea tendency for the plates to moverearwardly with the front shell and an equal tendency for Vthe plates tobe held stationary with the 'rear shell.q

On account of this balancing action the rear ends of the plates willapproach the rear follower at substantially the same rate as the frontfollower approaches the front ends of theV plates. This action continuesuntil the front and rear followers engage, respectively, with the frontends of the plates 28 and vthe rear ends of the plates 27 whereupon theplates will be moved relatively by the followers, until the oppositeendsof theL respective plates engage with the front and rear followers,whereupon the plates will act in the manner of a stop columntransmitting the pressure directly from the front follower to the rearfollower. t will be evident that the resistance to relative movement ofthe followers is greatly increased after the same engage the plates andmove them relatively to each other, and that a'preliminary action liliVof the mechanism to Vtake care oflight shocks is thus had before theplates come into full play.v` In addition to the friction createdbetween the-relatively movable plates during rearward movement of thefront follower" A, friction will also be created between the Aoutermostplates of cach group and the inner surfaces of the side walls of therear shell B. As-the followers approach each other and the plates. moverelatively, the 4ribs 26 and shoulders 30 will be separated anappreciable distance thus assuring a certain release of the mechanism,as the plates are not picked up by the same until after the wedgingpressure has been reduced sufficiently to assure easy release. Duringdraft, the action will be the reverse of that just described, the

rear follower being moved toward the front follower which is heldstation ary.

When the actuating'pressure is relieved, Vthe wedge pressure isinstantlyreduced due `to the wedge followers dropping away from the wedgefriction shoes and the relative bluntness of wedge faces 24 and 33,permitting thesprng to expand and force the spring follower shells andshoes apart. Aftcr the wedging pressure on the plates has been thusreleased, as the shells continue to separate, the plates are picked upby engagement of the ribs 26 with the shoulders 30, and all of the partsare restored to the normal position shown in Fig. 1.

Referring next to the construction illustrated in Fig. 5, the frontportion only of s the shock absorbing mechanism is shown, it

being understood that the mechanism shown in this ligure is duplicatedat the `rear end. The improved shock absorbing mechanism, as shown,comprises, broadly, frontand rear followers Af-A; front and rearcombined friction shell Aand spring follower members BL-B; two groupsofl friction plates C-C'; front and rear pairs ofv friction shoes D-D; aspring resistance E', a retainer bolt F; front and rear pairs ofauxiliary wedge blocks G`Gr; and spring follower plates H. j

The frontend rear wedge followers A are of substantially the sameconstruction as the wedge followers A shown in Figs. Vl, 2

and 3, heilig provided with top and sideA flanges and a central wedgeprojection 118 having inwardly converging wedge faces 1120..

T he front and rear combined friction shell and spring follower membersB are of a Aconstruction `substantially identical with the shells B andare provided with ribs 126 at their inner ends adapted to co-act withthe shoulders of the friction (plates 127 and 128` of the groups Carrange are also identical vwith the plates 27. and 28 of the`construction illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3, but in this instanceeach group :of

on opposite sides l VofthemeehanismiA The plates 127 and 128 plates Cconsists of three plates 127 and 'three plates 128. Each of the shells Bis also-provided with a post-123 havinga flat inner face 125 and`converging outer faces 124-exte1iding at relative `,blunt angles withreference to the axis of the mechanism. y

The friction wedge shoes D differ somewhat from the shoes Din that thesame do not cooperate directly with the post 123 and each has only asingle 'wedge face 1.4() disposed at a relatively keen angle withreference to the longitudinal axis of the mechanisni and coacting withthe corresponding auxiliary wedge block G. Each Vof the wedge frictionslices D is also provided with a vertical shoulder` 141 at the inner endof the wedge face 140 adapted to form an abutment for the adjacentspring follower plate H.' The flat outer face 142 of each of thefriction shoes D in this instance, is provided with a hardened steelspring plate 143 adapted to coact with the inner-most friction plate `ofone of the groups C. VAlthough the ,plates 143, in Figure 5 of thedrawing, are shown as flattened out, they exert a certainA amount o-fpressure laterally on the plates C, as they are curved longitudinallybefore being assembled with the y.other parts of the mechanisnn Theconvexed surface of leach plate 143 ispreferably disposed outwardly whenthe gear is assembled. The spring plates 143 due to the lateral pressureexerted thereby, aid in the releasing action of the mechanism when thecompressing forces are removed from the gear. v e, y

The front and rear wedge blocks G are of like construction and arearranged in pairs at opposite ends of the mechanism, `each4 of saidblocks being provided at its inner rend with a relatively blunt'wedgeface 144 adapted to coact with one of thel wedge faces l2lfof thecorresponding post 123, a relatively blunt wedge face 145 at its outerendl adapted to coact with one of the wedge faces 12,() of thecorresponding wedge Vi'ollowersA, and a relatively keen wedge face v1,46at the outer sidethereof adapted to coact with the heen wedge face 140of `the corresponding wedge friction shoe D. Spring plates 14T arepreferably interposed betwecnthe inner face of the front and rearVfollowers A andthe adjacent ends of the plates 12S and 127respectively, the spring plates being arranged at opposite sides of thewedge projection 11S of each follower and adapted to have substantiallyconstant engagement with the adjacent ends of the plates .ofthecorresponding group C.

ln the operation of the improved shock absorbing mechanisn'i,illustrated in Figure 5, assuming that the front follower A is Ibeingmoved rearwardly towar'dthe rear follower, a wedging action will be setup be- -tween the. keen wedge faces of the shoes Y and 4. During therelative approach of the front and rear followers A, the shells B willbe forced toward each otliei and as the front and rear followersapproach the ends of the friction plates, the springs 147 will lbecompressed and flattened out, the motion of the front and rear followersbeing gradually coinniunicated to the plates and the plates `movedrelatively in a manner similar toathat described in connection withFigures 1 to a inclusive. The relative movement of the front and rearfollowers, front and rear shells and plates 127 and 128 continues untilthe front ends of the plates 127 and the rear ends of the plates 128through the plates 147 engage the front and rear followers respectively,whereupon the same will act as a stop column transmitting the pressuredirectly from the front follower to the rear follower. It will also beevident that the ribs 126,011 the respective shells B will be spacedfreni the shoulders on the plates 127 and 128 in a manner similar tothat described in connection with Figures 1 to 4 inclusive.

VUpon removal of the actuating force,the front and rear followers -willdrop laway from the wedge blocks G and the wedging pressure will beinstantly relieved due to the blunt-,ness of the angles of the faces 124and 14T-il of the post 123 and the blocks G" and to the tendency of theplates 143 to resume their bowed condition, whereupon the.' expansiveaction of the spring resistance E will canse the entire wedging systemincluding the wedge-friction-shoes and ycasings B to separate, the ribs126 on the shells B" finally picking up the friction plates and all theparts will be restored to normal position. The spring plates 147 serveas an auX- iliary means for assisting in release of the mechanism byforcing the front and rear follower A outwardly when the actuating forcehas been removed.

I have herein shown and described what I now consider the preferredmanner `of carrying` ont this invention, but the same is merely.illustrative and I contemplate all changes and modifications that comewithin the scope of the claims appended hereto.

I claim:

1. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with frontand rear main followers movable toward and away tive movement of saidmain followers, said plates beingdivided into two groups on oppositesides of said wedge pressure creating means. Y

2. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with frontand rear main followers; of oppositely arranged frontv and rear shells;a spring resistance;

a longitudinally arranged wedge pressure creating means co-aeting withsaid followers, ksaid ymeans including spring follower" members movablerespectively withA said shells; and a plurality of relatively movablesets of friction plates within said shells, said plates being dividedinto two groups on opposite sides of said wedge pressure creating means.

In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with front andrear main followers movable toward and away from each other; ofoppositely arranged front and rear, relatively movable shells; a springresistance; a longitudinally arranged wedge pressure creating systemcoacting with said main followers, said system including springfollowers formed integral with said shells; and longitudinally arrangedco-acting friction plates adaptedto be moved relatively during relativemovement of said followers,v said plates being disposed within saidshells and divided into two groups on opposite sides of said wedgepressure creating system.

ll. ,In a friction shock absorbingmecha nism,- the combination withfront and rear main followers movable toward and away from each other.;of oppositely arranged, front andrear, relatively movable shells having.wedgemeans thereon; a spring re- -sistingrelative approach of saidshells;

wedgesmovable with said front and reai followers; a plurality of wedgeshoes coaeting with said wedge means and wedges; and longitudinallyarranged., co-acting friction plates co-operating with said shoes andadaptedto be moved relatively during relative movement of saidfollowers, said plates being divided into two groups disposed withinsaid shells and on opposite sides thereof.

5. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with frontand rear followers having wedge means movable therewith; of oppositelyarranged, front and rear shells each having' wedge means movabletherewith; a plurality of friction wedge l slices eo-acting with saidwedge means and movable by said followers; meansyieldingly opposingrelative movement of the shoes isn eliect return of the remaining platesto nor-f inal position. 1 y

(i. In a friction Vshock,absorbing` mechanism,l thek coi-nbination withffront and rear followers having wedge means movable therewith; ofoppositel y arranged, relatively movable, front and rear shells; aplurality Vof longitudinallyY errang d friction plates adapted to bemoved by each shell in one direction, the plates movable with the frontshell being interposed between the plates movable with the rear shell,and said plates being arranged in groups at opposite sides of saidshells; friction shoes interposed between said groups of plates and saidwedge means; a spring' resistance; and spring follower means formedintegral. with each shell and having wedge faces adapted to co-act withsaid shoes.

7. In a friction shock absorbing mechanisiii, the combination withoppositely arranged front and rear followers; of a pair of frictionshells provided with interior frici tion sufaces, said shells beingnormally spaced apart and adapted to move relatively; a plurality ofwedge blocks movable with said followers; wedge shoes co-opcrating withsaid blocks; wedge elements cooper-able with said wedge shoes, saidwedge elements being movable in unison with said shells; springl meansresisting relative movenient of said blocks; longitudinally arrangedfriction plates adapted to be moved rela.- tively by said followers,said plates being divided into two groups on opposite sides of saidwedge pressure creating means, each group comprising two sets of plates;and means arranged to engage each plate for restoring each set'of platesto normal position lwith one end of the `plates comprising each setslightly spaced from the outer end Wall of the adjacent follower'. l

8. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination withoppositely arranged, relatively inovable, front and rear followers; oflongitudinally arranged, relatively movable, intercalated frictionplates, said plates being arranged in groups at opposite sides of themechanism and alternate plates being adaptedto be engaged and moved bythe front and rear followers respectively; longitudinally arrangedlateral wedge pressure'creating means at opposite ends of said mechanismadapted to co-act front andre'ar shellshousing said plates, said shellsbeing normally spaced apart and adapted to be moved relatively by saidwedge pressure creating means; means for yieldingly resisting relativeapproach of said shells and restoring the same to normal position; andinterengaging. means on said shells and plates for restoring the latterto normal position. i l

9. In a friction shock absorbing mechanisin, the combination'with frontand rear main followers; of. oppositely arranged, front and rear,relatively movable shells having wedge ineansthereon; a ,springresistance interposed 'between said shells; wedges movablewithifsaidfrontand rear followers; apluralityof wedge shoes coaeting with saidwedge means and wedges;

wear plates interposed between said shoes and wedge means;longitudinally arranged, coactirig friction plates co-operating withsaid shoes and adapted to be moved relatively upon relative movement ofsaid followers, said `plates beingr divided into two groupsdisposedwitliin said 'shells and on opposite sides thereof; and wearplates intirposed between the ends of said plates and said followers.

l0. In a friction shock absorbing mecha nism, the combination with frontand rear main followers; of a spring resistance; longitudinally arrangedwedge pressure creating means co-acting with said main followers,including front and rear combined wedges and spring followers;longitudinally arranged friction plates adaptedto be moved relatively onrelative movement of said main followers and means on said com binedwedges and spring followers adapted to engage said plates to restore thesaine to normal position.

l1. In al friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with frontand rear main followers movable toward'and away from each other; ofoppositcly arranged front and rear relatively movable shells havingwedge means hereon; spring means, resisting relative approach of saidshells; wedges movable with the front and rear followers; of a pluralityof wedge slices coacting with said wedge means and wedges; andlongitudinally arranged intcrcalated friction plat-es co-actiiig withsaid shoes and adapted to be moved relatively during relative movementof said followers.

12. In a friction shock. absorbing mechanism, the combination with frontand rear followers relatively movable toward and away from each other;of front and rear friction casings also 'relatively movable tolill lll:

Ward and away from each other, each casing and the correspondingfollower being arranged foi" relative movement during the initial action0f the mechanism; two lateral- With saidfollowers and be movedtliereby;ly separated groups of friction plates co-operating with saidfriction casings, each group comprising two sets of plates, one of saidsets being movable with each follower; spreading means disposed betweensaid groups of plates and directly actuated by each follower, saidspreading means engaging said front and rear' friction casings to efectmovement thereof with the front and rear followers, respectively7 duringa compression" stroke of the mechanism; and spring kresistance meansopposing relative movement of said spreading means.

13. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with frontand rear relatively `movable follower acting means;

Yof friction casings at the opposite ends of the mechanism; a pluralityof intercalated frictionplates eoeoperating with said friction casings,said plates being adapted for relatively movement through said followeracting means; lateral wedge pressurel creating means associated witheach follower acting means for placing the plates under lateralpressure,said wedge pressure creating means co-opei'ating directly with `said jfollower acting means and being effective to move the correspondingfriction casing after a predetermined compression of the mechafy nism. v

In Witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed-my namethis 21st day of September 1923.

sTAoY B. HASELTINE.

